Tricia K.

Maese, Fred MD - Band New Life Address: 210 W 6th St, Ferris, TX 75125 Phone:(972) 842-3911

Rather than having to explain the procedure over and over, why not send them to this website? http://www.lap-band.com/about.html

How much are they?

I don't know what the heck is going on with me because, last Friday, I was down 5 lbs. from having my fill the Tuesday prior. But, now I'm back up 4 lbs. I don't get it. Below are my daily calorie totals from Friday until yesterday. I just don't understand why I'm back up 4 lbs. UGH! Friday 11/18 - 1027 Saturday 11/19 - 1096 Sunday 11/20 - 822 Monday 11/21 - 683 Any ideas/suggestions??

Here are a few more suggestions: liquid Adult Tylenol Liquid Immodium Milk of Magnesia Hibiclens Antiseptic, Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser - for cleaning your incisions

You're welcome

I would definitely call your doctor first thing Monday morning. My post-operative instructions stated the following: When to call your physician: New onset of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - EMERGENCY New onset of chest pain - dull or shart, front or back - EMERGENCY Bleeding - from incision(s) or in vomit or stool Pain and/or "hot feeling" in calf muscle(s) Signs of infection - temp above 101 degrees, redness or swelling at incision site(s), pus-like or foul smelling drainage Separating or opening of healed incisions Nausea or vomiting that is not relieved by medication Pain that is not relieved by medication

5kg converts to 11.02 lbs. http://education.yahoo.com/reference/weights_and_measures/index?p=weight_and_mass Both of you are doing great!

Walgreens actually carries a similar product called Optisource, which is designed for bariatric surgery. http://www.walgreens.com/search/search_results.jsp?term=optisource&section=A&x=0&y=0

I was banded 9/16/05 and was down 28 lbs. but in the last 2 days have put on 4 lbs. I don't understand how but we'll see what happens in a few days. 1st fill was on 11/3/05 - 1cc 2nd fill was on 11/15/05 - 1cc

I've never heard of it but did a google search for it and found this... http://www.celluliteexpert.com/english/endermologie.html "<!--StartFragment -->Since its introduction to the USA, Endermologie® was the first to be FDA approved for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite." If it's only temporary, I wonder if it's worth it.

1) My fills are done by the nurse practitioner at my surgeon's office. She doesn't use flouro or an x-ray but rather does them by touch. She injects lidocane to numb the area and then does the fill. I don't feel either of the needles. Kathy's correct. They do not leave an open spot to access your port. It's under the skin and you can feel it when you push a bit on your tummy. 2) So, no my fills don't hurt, during or after. Your fills are performed on an individual needs basis. I've had 2 fills in the span of 2 weeks because the 1st fill wasn't enough. I'm scheduled for another one on Dec. 6th but will push it back if I don't feel it's necessary at the time. 3) If I remember correctly, once you've reached your desired weight, they may loosen it a bit so that you are just maintaining. 4) I was allowed normal foods 2 weeks after surgery. Every doctor and everyone is different. Your band will tell you what you can and cannot eat. My doctor just suggests that after you've had the band placed, try one new thing at a time (i.e. don't try 2 new things during the same meal). 5) I was only on liquids the day before surgery. It was a bit difficult but it was manageable. Prior to that, I wasn't put on a pre-surgery diet but was advised to lose a few lbs. because it's good for removing any extra fat around your liver. I lost 2 lbs. prior to surgery. As far as post-surgery, the only times I've truly been hungry was when I waited too long to eat. And, it was nothing like the pre-surgery hunger. Believe me, you get full very quickly with the band. Just don't overeat, or you'll PB or throw up......throwing up is a big NO NO. 6) I'm self-employed so I work at home. But, I was able to get back to work 3 days after surgery. I think a week would be sufficient. Just make sure you tell your employer ahead of time that you're having surgery and that, although you'll be back after Spring Break, you might not be up to your full potential because you're still healing. Better safe than sorry, you know. 7) Refer to number 4

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a hard time with this. If I were you, I would suck it up and go to the doctor and discuss your concerns/express your desires and see if he/she will work with you to provide the insurance company with enough evidence that this procedure is medically necessary. I do believe that high blood pressure is considered a co-morbitity. Good luck!

My doc says 1 day of liquids and 1 day of mushies then back to normal food.

Good luck on your journey. Getting the band was one of the best decisions I've made. Your best bet for checking for insurance coverage would be to look at your policy handbook for their list of exclusions. If they don't cover bariatric surgery, they will specifically list it as an exclusion, which would read something like this: "Services, surgery, supplies, treatment or expenses related to obesity or morbid obesity, regardless of Medical Necessity"

Good to know

I'm happy to hear that your 1st fill was uneventful and painless. I had my 1st fill 2 weeks ago (1cc) and only felt minor restriction for the first 2 days. After that, it was the same as before I got the fill. So, I called this past Monday and went in the following day to get my 2nd fill (another 1cc). Even though it has only been 2 days, this restriction feels much different than the first time. I have a feeling this one will last for a while. I get my fills done by the nurse practitioner in my surgeon's office. She doesn't use flouro (whatever that is) but rather does the fills by touch. She feels for my port, has me do a semi-crunch, injects the lidocane and then the saline. I don't feel either of the needles. While I'm not the least bit afraid of needles, I'm so glad that this fill process is so painless.

Best of luck to you and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

I completely understand the concept behind your post concerning lifestyle changes, etc. However, I've done that in the past and took Glucophage yet I still hit that plateau and didn't lose another pound regardless of what I was doing. As my doctor explained to me, some women with PCOS just can't lose the weight without the aid of the band or gastric bypass. It just seems that the logic is still flawed because I'm not changing my eating habits that much except for eating significantly less. My husband seems to think that after time, decreasing your caloric intake to 800-1000 per day, your stomach would naturally shrink and you would get used to it. Although it seems reasonable, I'm not sure that I agree with that theory. I do know that prior to having the band placed, had I tried to sustain myself on 800-1000 calories per day, I would have ended up with severe headaches and would still have had the typical cravings of someone with PCOS. With that said, thank goodness for the band!

I'm not questioning whether or not I'll lose weight because I have lost 26 lbs. in 2 months. I'm just curious as to how this logic works.

I was also banded on 9/16/05 and had my 1st fill on 11/3/05. I felt some restriction for about 3 days but then was able to eat as I did pre-fill and didn't lose a single pound. I had my 2nd fill this past Tuesday, 11/15/05 and have lost 3 pounds. I now know what good restriction feels like. See my stats below for current weight loss.

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago and was told at that time to try a diabetic diet. I tried it but it didn't make much of a difference..maybe 5 lbs. So, I went on the Atkin's induction phase for 6 months and lost 30 lbs. within the first 3 months but didn't lose another pound the following 3 months. Of course, after I went off of Atkin's I gained the 30lbs. back...and then some. I've read that because of PCOS, some women will experience a plateau and won't lose any more weight. However, with the band, you can and will lose weight. Now, while I completely understand the syndrome, it doesn't logically make sense that just by restricting my caloric intake with help from the band, I will lose weight. Anyone else have questions about the logic in this scenario?

Other than the 2 hours of bowling on Tuesday night, I haven't really completed a full hour of aerobic exercise any other day this week. Tonight I have 1 hour of Krav Maga, which will total 3. I still have a few days left in the week and need some encouragement. I have a feeling that my lack of motivation stems from the fact that even after having my 1st fill on 11-3, I hadn't lost any weight. Instead, I went up a pound. Well, I went in for a 2nd fill on Tuesday, the 15th, and now I feel restriction. I have even lost 2 lbs. since Tuesday, so now I'm at 248.

As I mentioned in another thread, my surgeon, Dr. Thomas Lavin, has a self-pay program for $12,900. As long as you fit the health criteria for outpatient surgery, the $12,900 covers the following: Surgeon Hospital (up to a 23 hour stay) Anesthesiologist 1 year of follow-up care/fills The initial out-of-pocket visit is $175, which includes the psych evaluation. Any tests (sleep apnea, blood work, etc.) are also out-of-pocket. From Dr. Lavin's website www.whyweight.com... "As one of the first 4 U.S. proctors for Inamed Health, he teaches and credentials other surgeons in the placement of the Lap-band device for the treatment of morbid obesity." Here's the link for his Surgeon Profile on obesityhelp.com. Please note that the number of surgeries he's performed needs to be updated. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Thomas+Lavin+fnp.html

That's so sad. I feel so sorry for her and her family.